The US and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations on Friday urged the UN Security Council to swiftly adopt a resolution backing President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, as diplomatic wrangling intensifies over rival proposals.
In a joint statement, the US, the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey said they supported the draft now before the 15-member council and wanted its “swift adoption”.
“We are issuing this statement as the Member States that gathered during High-Level Week to begin this process, which offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood,” the countries said.
“We emphasise that this is a sincere effort, and the plan provides a viable path towards peace and stability, not only between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but for the entire region.”
The US proposal calls for a two-year transitional administration in Gaza, linked to reforms within the Palestinian Authority and the deployment of an international force to oversee security and demilitarisation.
Washington says the plan is aimed at stabilising the territory and creating conditions for eventual statehood.
Negotiations remain fraught, with several Security Council members – Russia, China and Algeria – raising concerns about timelines, enforcement mechanisms and the role of the proposed international force.
Russia has circulated a competing draft resolution that calls for the UN Secretary General to present options for an international stabilisation force for Gaza.
Most importantly, it does not include the Board of Peace Washington wants endorsed as part of Mr Trump’s plan.
In a statement, Russia explained that the rationale behind their draft resolution is to "enable the Security Council to define clear modalities for deploying a peacekeeping contingent and establishing administration in Gaza, while ensuring that these modalities are fully in line with universally recognised international legal standards".
"It is also crucial to preserve the international legal framework for the Middle East peace process, which has been developed over many decades on the basis of the two-state solution," it added.
UN diplomats told The National that the Security Council is expected to vote on both drafts on Monday.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
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Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
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Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In the Restaurant: Society in Four Courses
Christoph Ribbat
Translated by Jamie Searle Romanelli
Pushkin Press
Results:
Men’s wheelchair 200m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 27.14; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 27.81; 3. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 27.81.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
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BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
